Gigs

2015

Guest places are limited for this evening. It will be hosted in the house and include arrival drinks with nibbles, a hot fork supper, followed by dessert & coffee, wine & soft drinks, PLUS two live sets from Dennis.

Please email live@littlerabbitbarn.com for more details

Dennis Ellsworth is a prolific songwriter. Lately he’s gotten into rhythm of writing, recording and releasing an album a year. In between records, he travels around the planet singing songs characterized by a kind of dark optimism that’s informed by early influences such as Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond and Kris Kristofferson.

We are thrilled to host a special night, featuring some brand new songs & favourites, following an Autumn writing and now recording back in the studio with the Dust Dream team in Athens, Georgia.

LRB attended Jess and The Bandits (JATB) music evening showcase in London a couple of weeks ago and were well impressed with big voiced Texan Jessica Clemmons and her posse of top session players, aptly named The Bandits. Expect diversity of musical style from full on Texan country pop, heartfelt ballads and a big dollop of rock-and-roll.

Transport yourself from a world of homogenized pop and rock to something a bit different. “Whether performing solo or with her full band, what comes across live is her all-embracing energy. Her incredible aura and her majestic strength, show in the command she holds of the stage. Breathy vocals are juxtaposed with strong, almost operatic bursts and she can barely hide her star quality. This is Avant- Guard Rock/Pop at its best.” Richmond Harding

“A hit on the summer festival circuit over the past couple of years, this sultry, spellbinding singer also boasts the rare accolade of being invited to play Dame Shirely Bassey’s 70th party as the only music entertainment.” Port Elliot Festival

NEW ALBUM RISE and FALL for March release. Standout set at last year's Maverick Festival, Dayna's songs straddle the space between jazz, rock, and folk, & are pure poetry

Recent Female Songwriter of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters and personal accolades from Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt. Tours include Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Mavis Staples, Rufus Wainwright, B.B. King.

Special guest Angel Snow is Nashville's new star. Featured on Bob Harris' BBC documentary Nashville. Alison Krauss and Union Station have recorded three of her songs on their latest CD

Danni Nicholls is one of UK's finest singer songwriters and a big favourite with us folks at LRB. Her blend of smoky soul, & heart wrenching alt-country delivered with power and subtlety is something to behold.This time she will be headlining with a full band including musical maestro Max Milligan on guitar and will be showcasing new songs from her forthcoming album recorded and produced with some of Nashville's top musicians

"[Danni] slips effortlessly between smoky soul, folk-pop and heart-wrenching alt-country, all in a rich voice somewhere between [Emmylou] Harris and Alison Krauss." This is sure to be a musical treat!

Kelley McRae Duo with Matt Castelein . New EP Easy on My Mind debut at No 16 on European American Charts.

Drawing comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, the duo’s music is wide ranging - comprising haunting ballads, tender love songs, and energetic guitar driven songs full of hope. Paste Magazine’s 4 Star review raves “Kelley moves effortlessly from the mournful tones of the plantation to the celebratory swing of the saloon, from songs of loss and decay to hymns of love and grace.” Acclaimed film director Wim Wenders told the San Francisco Chronicle that Kelley’s songs move him to tears, and BBC Radio’s Bob Harris calls the songs ‘brilliant.’

Colchester singer-songwriter Rhiannon Mair is an exciting and energetic live performer with an edgy style and great stage presence. A hybrid of Alanis Morrisette and KT Tunstall, but with her own distinctive voice and vocal delivery.

"There are voices that serve as a bridge from the past to the future and act as soul connectors, and as a people we need them to keep singing. These voices open hearts with this rare, one in a million quality. Amy Speace has such a voice. Just ask the legendarily discerning Judy Collins; she'll tell you. Amy's got it, and then some. She is a timeless artist, a time traveler. Part past, part future. And that’s a good thing, a really good thing." - Mary Gauthier

New record, That Kind Of Girl due in March 2015.

Harmonies soar like a nightingale recalling the very best of Poco and CSN, but this music belongs to Fred's House... terrific." **** Maverick Magazine

'These guys do country rock better than anyone else in the land' - Americana UK.Country and Blues band Redlands Palomino Company, fronted by the alluring vocals of Hannah Elton-Wall. 'Composed of equal parts of Gram, Poco, Burritos and Byrds

Influenced by country, bluegrass, roots, folk, cajun and blues, this five piece UK based band are making their mark on the British Americana scene. Several trips to the Southern States of America have clearly influenced The Rosellys, leading to a combination of energy and melody in their song writing and live performances that are often compared with artists such as Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris.

Skylight Crowd with Amy Westney open this very special LRB evening featuring international artist Anne McCue.

We've been big fans of guitarist/singer/songwriter Anne McCue for many years so we are more than thrilled to be so closely involved with her visit to the UK and appearance at LRB. She will also be featured at this summer's Maverick Festival on July 04th.

McCue's first solo album, Amazing Ordinary Things, was released in 1999 in Canada and Japan. A US tour with Lucinda Williams followed... "my new favorite artist... and an amazing guitarist".

Her 2004 album Roll received numerous accolades. Bob Harris named it his album of the year.

2006 album Koala Motel, one of my personal favourites, features a co-write with LRB friend Janet Robin on the opening track ' Driving Down Alvarado'

Anne continues to pick up international awards and accolades with songs that stretch from urgent to world-weary with bracing bluntness. She is a potent singer, thoughtful songwriter and tough guitarist.

Her 6th studio album - Blue Sky Thinkin' is imminent. The album reunites the band from her critically acclaimed 'Roll' album and allows Anne to explore some of her favourite influences, including Billy Holiday, Charlie Christian, Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Minnie, Astor Piazzola, Peggy Lee, Irving Berlin, Django Reinhardt, Hoagy Carmichael, Bessie Smith...

Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton met over 10 years ago at Grammy award winning producer Martin Terefe's London recording studio where he was working on their respective major label debut albums. Bonding over a love of 70's singer/songwriters, country music and cake, they vowed one day to record together as they felt their voices would blend and give what Emmylou Harris calls 'the rub'.

Several times around the world in various musical guises and their's paths crossed again when Rosalie supported Steve's highly regarded country rock band The Storys. Having returned from touring with the likes of Elton John, Santana, Celine Dion and Joe Cocker, The Storys asked Rosalie to join and help write and record for their 3rd album, 'Luck'.

When The Storys decided to call it a day, Steve and Rosalie took it as a sign that the time was right to make some music together. They called on friend and ace songwriter Julian Wilson of Grand Drive, and slowly and quietly kicked some ideas around at his South London studio. These initial sessions were inspiring, fun and very rewarding and all three realised that indeed they had found 'the rub'.

Recording began in earnest with producer and songwriter John Reynolds, who has worked with Sinead O'Connor, The Indigo Girls and U2, tracking the first song ideas at his North London studio. Influenced by everyone from Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, Steve Earle, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, Bryan Adams and Douglas Adams, Balsamo Deighton's songs pretty much nod and wink from them all. The duo have released a couple of cover songs to whet peoples' appetites; 'Sky Blue and Black' by Jackson Browne, and Shawn Colvin's 'I Don't Know Why' for which they have made a remarkable, hair raising/removing video.

Balsamo Deighton are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album with producers Tim Hamill and Ben Robbins and are looking forward to sharing the fruits of their labour both on record and on the road very soon.

After more than 2 years of hard work, country pop artist Lucy May is having a big impact on the UK country scene and 2015 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for this hard-working, talented singer-songwriter.

Having played sell-out sets at Country Collective and the C2C Festival which included a live session for Radio 2 Country, Lucy has just come off tour with Striking Matches and is about to go back on the road with Larkin Poe. Her gig diary is filling up with UK festival dates, oh, and did we mention that she released her debut album, “Whirlwind” this week?

Lucy May always stands out from the crowd with her distinctive bee-hive and retro style, so it was apt that she opted to celebrate her album right around the corner from BBC Broadcasting House at The Social in Fitzrovia in the company of record industry and BBC Radio bods.....and us folks from LRB!

Picture Credit Natalie Eldred - W&TC May 2015

Anna Pancaldi shines through from the pack....

Described by Emerging Icons as “having the emotive presence of Eva Cassidy and the folky soul of Joni Mitchell…” Anna Pancaldi is a singer-songwriter on the verge of something big, Gaby Roslin (BBC London) claimed “ That was sensational, I can't believe that you're unsigned, beautiful sound...you've got it.”

Voted best artist on the pop up stages at this year's C2C Festival. Sasha is recently back from touring US promoting her new album 'I Stand Alone'. She headlined the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas and shared a stage with The Bellamy Bros amongst many other highlights. We look forward to welcome UK's double country award nominated rising star at LRB before she returns to the US and Europe

"Alan West is a UK Treasure. His masterful interpretation of both classic and original Americana songs, together with his easy going stage demeanour, gives the impression of a laid back, front porch musical presentation, but with the professionalism that very few can carry off so effortlessly.”- Alan Cackett, Editor - Maverick magazine

Alan West, for many years, has been regarded as having one of the greatest voices to come out of the UK. His emotional, yet informative way of singing a story, has moved many an audience all over the world.

A British Country Music Association award winner for “UK’s Finest Duo” two years running as well as receiving the “Album of the Year” for their debut album “The All Day Session”with Kelvin Henderson . This led to frequent tours with such songwriting legends as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Sonny Curtis and Hugh Moffatt. Since the duo went their separate ways Alan has gone on to record two solo CD’s the first of which was recorded in Nashville. Produced by Pat McInerney and engineered by multi Grammy winner Bill VornDick at Mountainside Studio “Songs From A Neophyte”(2008) was to become a turning point in Alan’s career. Not only did the album receive critical acclaim it directly led to more tours including one with Hal Ketchum. Having worked with Steve Black (one of the UK’s unsung songwriters) for a number of years, the decision to record a CD of Steve’s songs was an easy one. The new CD “The Way Of The World” (2010) was produced and engineered by John Taylor at Mirage Studios and features guest appearances by Albert Lee and Sarah Jory as well as performances by some of the UK’s finest players.

Steve’s background lies in theatre, television and radio although he has performed over 5000 live gigs all over the world. He has written for many top comedians and has had numerous plays and rock musicals performed all around the UK including London. Steve’s last CD received a lot of airplay and his latest offering “All the best” is set to follow the same pattern. He is becoming one of the UK’s leading songwriters and his style fits perfectly with Alan’s unique way of singing and the combination is very potent.

“Most British efforts at classic Country come with a strong health warning but with England’s own session legend Albert Lee sitting in, West simply fires up the truck & heads for Nashville without a backward glance.”- Acoustic Magazine

From Times Square New York City, to the slums of Africa, to London's Royal Albert Hall; Country and Blues songbird Dani Wilde continues her musical journey with a brand new album release ' Songs about You'.

Dani will be accompanied by Will Wilde, a multi British Blues Award nominated artist and the 2015 Blues Matters Writer's Poll Best in Blues Award for Harmonica.

Barbara Nesbitt is a singer/songwriter whose style is authentic Austin Americana. Formerly of The Whiskey Sisters, she has sung backups for Willie Nelson, Bob Weir and Tim Flannery. She is taking time to tour the US, Africa, Asia and the UK to support her latest ‘solo’ release, Almost Home. In the last two years, she has placed in the top five Austin Singers, top three Austin Songwriters twice, and her band won Band of The Year in the SxSW Austin Music Awards. With a voice that is at once plaintive and uplifting, her songs and stories will make you think, make you laugh and make you feel.

They Promised You Mercy, is nominated for Roots & Traditional Album of The Year (Solo). Amelia’s last three albums have been nominated for a Juno. She won her first Juno Award in 2010 for her album Hunter, Hunter

Saturday 28th November 2015, Sean Taylor trio gig with Paulina Szczepan and Hana Piranha. End of Year LRB special show.

New Album, The Only Good Addiction is Love

We are thrilled to welcome back LRB favourite Sean Taylor for a third visit. His new album is receiving national airplay and amazing reviews. MOJOmagazine 4 Stars....'it's a beauty- meditative and passionate, early Van Morrison-esque with poetic lyrics, excellent bass

This will be a special show featuring Hana Piranha on violin and Paulina Szczepan on drums and percussion. Hana's violin arrangements feature on the album.We think this seventh album is a contender for record of the year.and....legendary Danny Thompson on bass'

'Taylor is no “simple bluesman”; he’s with the poets and the painters in a commune of the mind where the force of our own nature is both wonderful and terrifying''

The Only Good Addiction Is Love is Taylor’s most consciously themed statement to date and fresh ideas about instrumentation have given his songs some added vibrancy. Hana Piranha on violin contributes some particularly inventive ideas that have help nudge the arrangements onto new and fertile ground. They are especially evident and effective on the memorable title track and the café blues of Les Rouges et Les Noirs.

Taylor is also a noted blues guitarist with a deep affinity for the sounds of the Delta, but the allure of the Latin world has proved irresistible to one with such an inquiring mind. Listeners reap the benefits of his investigations on the evocative instrumental Lorca; a heartfelt blues with “deep song” attributes composed for a favourite poet who also spoke candidly. It’s especially poignant given that Lorca’s death at the hands of Franco’s death squads is a constant reminder that truth and beauty often come at very high price.

However, Taylor doesn’t dabble in tributes, and his passions burn as brightly as the imagery he’s found in the wider artistic milieu. If you listen closely you can pick out the faces in the crowd, but the important thing to remember is that messages of love, truth and beauty pass through hands from one generation to another. The Only Good Addiction is Love is laden with messages that are too compelling to ignore, and they come embedded in songs that (if there is any justice) ought to reach many more than those already converted.

Saturday 28th November 2015, special guest Lauren Housley closes our 2015 concert series following an amazing year with the success of Ghost Town Blues from debut album Sweet Surrender "Effortlessly classy soulful blues from God's Country...'Sweet Surrender' (debut album), by Lauren Housley is outstanding"

An extraordinary completely original artistic talent. Exactly 10 months after opening our 2015 concert series we are delighted Tallulah Rendall is our special guest on an amazing line up for our end of year showdown.

Twitter

Search Website

Latest Post

Sam Millar and the lovely folk at The UK Americana Bar filmed our End of Year Show back in October 2017 and interviewed Sean Taylor, Elles Bailey and Angel Snow. They have just released the film onto YouTube. Please give…

Latest Gig Review

Hannah Aldridge and Cherry Lee Mewis proved to be the perfect entertainment on a hot and balmy summer evening at Little Rabbit Barn. We even took some of the marquee sides down to provide a cooling breeze; that was a…

Performing Artists

It is always a pleasure and privilege to host the many amazing and talented artists who have played LRB. Thanks to David Filce for compiling this list and the framed print Abi Moore Ady Johnson Alan West Alone Me Amanda Pearcy…